LG Uplus and the Animal Freedom Alliance announced on the 13th that they would strengthen relief activities for pets in disaster areas.
From the 23rd of last month to the 4th, LG Uplus and the Animal Freedom Alliance rescued 36 pets, including dogs and cats, in areas affected by wildfires such as Sancheong County in Gyeongnam, Uiseong County, Yeongdeok County, and Andong City in Gyeongbuk, and transported them to a hospital.
Additionally, LG Uplus employees, Animal Freedom Alliance activists, as well as activists from the Educational Cooperative Saeum and student volunteers from the Department of Animal Studies at Yeonam University established the country's first pet-specialized relief center near Uiseong Gymnasium and conducted care activities.
Based on this experience with establishing the relief center, they decided to identify areas for improvement to ensure that future animal-specialized relief centers can be operated more smoothly and to strengthen related activities. A representative from LG Uplus noted, "While animals also need protection in disaster situations, currently, pets cannot enter temporary evacuation shelters set up for disaster victims," adding, "Due to the sudden nature of disasters, it is also difficult to prepare separate facilities for animals, putting pet relief in a gap outside the system."
They plan to quickly coordinate animal rescue and treatment regardless of the disaster area by linking with local animal hospitals in each region. They are also considering providing emergency first aid training for activists so that minor injuries can be treated at the specialized relief center. To minimize variables in animal relief caused by weather conditions such as heat or cold, they decided to increase cooperation with local governments to allow operations indoors.
Lee Myeong-seob, head of the ESG Promotion Team at LG Uplus, emphasized, "In the event of a sudden disaster, it is currently virtually impossible to provide relief for pets that evacuate alongside disaster victims," adding, "Since pets are family to disaster victims, we will continue to strive to ensure that they receive the necessary care and protection during evacuations."
Cho Hee-kyung, the representative of the Animal Freedom Alliance, stated, "As animals in disaster situations are lives that should be protected just like humans, there is a need for more attention and policy support."